A recent Ballroom dance lesson I had with the amazing Anne Gleave (Former Ballroom Champion) reminded me of my previous lessons with my first incredible coach – Penny De Kauwe.
She always reminded us that the floor is our friend. One thing I have noticed time and time again in ballroom or latin classes I teach, wether in the UK or Australia is feet being lifted off the floor!
This is a big dance no-no! That is making the floor your foe. You want the dance floor to be your friend.
Whilst Latin American dancing and Ballroom dancing are two very differnt styles the principles of dance cannot be ignored. You need a centre (middle of your body) to keep your balance when you dance.
If you’re feet are not in constant contact with the floor you will loose your centre and fall off balance, and your partner won’t like you either.
Obviously, Jive, Quickstep etc have certain steps that will require you lift your feet, don’t be a smarty…But you should really feel like there is 100kg of pressue going through the heel, ball, inside edge of your toe when you move.
Remembering the principle of posture – that your spine is long. Almost like your body is divided in half from the waist down, lots of foot/floor pressure and from the waist up, very long and tall posture.
It really does look horrible when people are stepping around in giant “leap type step” fashion during the waltz. And I want you to be a beautiful graceful and powerful dancer both socially or competitively.
So next time your in the studio, always think of your feet being in constant contact with the floor during all the steps that require it!
Leave a Reply